UMUR "Implode" is a one-track digital single by US thrash metal act Slayer. The single can be downloaded for free on the band´s official homepage. It was released in April 2014. "Implode" is the first new original studio material recorded by Slayer since the recording sessions for "World Painted Blood (2009)". The long recording break was however due to lot of different issues, including the long disease course and untimely death of guitarist Jeff Hanneman and the dismissal of drummer Dave Lombardo. The latter has been replaced by a returning Paul Bostaph. While Exodus guitarist Gary Holt has toured with Slayer as a replacement for Jeff Hanneman, he is not part of the recording lineup on this single, which was recorded as a three-piece with Kerry King handling all guitars.

Stylistically there are very few surprises when listening to "Implode". This is classic post "Seasons in the Abyss (1990)"-era Slayer. Harsh, aggressive, and a band that´s as tight playing as ever. The return of Paul Bostaph provides the music with a less organic sound than the drumming that Dave Lombardo brought to the table did, but he is a skilled player and his drumming style arguably suits the music well. "Implode" is a relatively varied track with both heavy grooves and more standard fast paced thrashy sections. It´s a good quality track, but to my ears pretty standard for Slayer and definitely not anything out of the ordinary.

The sound production is also pretty standard for Slayer, even though the return of Paul Bostaph also has impact on how the drums are produced.

Upon conclusion "Implode" is a good quality track by Slayer, but it´s not a track that stands out in their discography and it doesn´t exactly make my blood boil or raise my expectations to how a new full-length release will sound. It´s simply what I expected and nothing more. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.